Killing with a Hainault sword: Daniel Anjorin was attacked from behind, the court hears

A man accused of murdering a boy by running up behind him and slashing his neck and chest with a samurai sword has appeared at the Old Bailey.

Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, is alleged to have attacked 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin as he went to school in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30.

Four other people – including two police officers – were seriously injured in separate attacks within 20 minutes.

The trial is scheduled to begin in February.

On Tuesday, Mr Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian dual national who lives in Newham, east London, confirmed his name and date of birth as he stood in the dock.

This story contains graphic details that may be disturbing to the reader

Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a timetable for the case, with a hearing on July 23 and a three-week preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey from February 3.

Mr Monzo was remanded in custody.

Just before 7am BST last Tuesday, Mr Monzo is said to have crashed a van into a fence in Laing Close, hitting a member of the public, Donato Iwule.

He then allegedly attacked Daniel from behind, slashing his neck and stabbing him in the chest as he lay on the ground.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the court that Daniel was “largely decapitated” in the attack.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death was “impact trauma to the head.”

As police officers came to the teenager’s aid, Mr Monzo is said to have emerged from a bush. The court heard he attacked PC Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, causing her “significant injury”.

The defendant is then said to have walked through several gardens before entering the home of a couple who were sleeping with their four-year-old child.

Mr Monzo is said to have attacked the father, Henry De Los Rios Polania, in the bedroom, causing injuries to his neck and arm.

A second officer, Insp Moloy Elec Campbell, tried to stop the defendant and was also stabbed with the sword, it is said.

The defendant was ultimately tasered and arrested.

Mr Monzo is accused of the murder of Daniel, the attempted murder of Mr Iwule and PC Mechem-Whitfield and of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr De Los Rios Polania and Insp Campbell.

He is also charged with aggravated burglary and possession of an article with a blade.

On Saturday, Daniel’s parents released a statement paying tribute to their “beloved and amazing son.”

They said: “We as a family are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel.”

“At the moment we are having a hard time coming to terms with what happened to him and that he will never come home. Daniel had left the house to go to school and then he was gone.”

“Our children have lost their loving and precious brother and we have lost the most beloved and greatest son.”

The family sent “best wishes” to the other victims of the “unthinkable incident” and thanked the local community for their support.

On Sunday, more than 300 people gathered for a vigil to honor Daniel.